NHL Trade Rumors: Iginla, Clowe, and Cammallari Top List Of Forwards On The Market As Trade Deadline Looms

With the Pittsburgh Penguins making the first major signings of the 2013 NHL season, acquiring forward Brendan Morrow from the Dallas Stars and defenseman Douglas Murray from the San Jose Sharks, other general managers around the league have taken note and have a better sense of the value that players will be bought and sold for in this condensed season.

With the trade deadline on April 3, teams may be closing in on roster decisions as they gear up for a final push leading to the playoffs.

Jarome Iginla (Calgary Flames)

Considered to be the most valued asset available on the market, the Flames captain may be on his way out from Calgary as he finishes up the last season on his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent. Iginla has stated that he is willing to be traded only to Stanley Cup contenders, with a shortlist consisting of the Chicago Blackhawks, the Los Angeles Kings, the Boston Bruins, and the Penguins.

While the 35-year-old forward’s services are coveted by several teams, there could be hesitance to meet the projected asking price of a first-round draft pick and two prospective players. The Bruins may be the team most pressured to make a solid offer, after the recent activities by the Penguins in the market.

Mike Cammallari (Calgary Flames)

Besides Iginla, the Flames may be ready to cash in on their other veterans, including Cammallari, who only has another year left on his $6 million a year contract. Despite being a prolific forward, boasting a 39-goal season and multiple 20-plus goal seasons, Cammallari is only 30 and would be a great addition to any team looking for a scorer on their second or third lines.

If Cammallari is up for grabs, the Bruins and the Sabres are expected to show interest.

Ryan Clowe (San Jose Sharks)

Still without a goal through 25 games, the prototypical power forward has been at the center of many trade conversations. He is in the last year of his $3.625 million a year cap-hit contract, and teams interested in upping their physicality and offense would likely be interested.

The only thing deterring a move for Clowe is his lingering shoulder injury, which has kept him out of the lineup for the past three games. Clowe has been a target of many teams in the Eastern Conference, including Boston, Toronto, and Edmonton.